Seafarers should watch out. How many shipowners are willing to train their personnel on new technology? Not many; they are usually happier to poach already trained staff. If there aren’t any, then it’ll be the usual – the instruction book thrown at you and the blame if something goes wrong. I have little faith in a Just Transition.
Autonomous means self-ruling, and no ship has been that since radio was invented. I’d suggest polionomous, ruled from the city, since it’s going to be an office wallah calling the shots. Same as now, except in the end there will be no skilled and experienced crew to forestall Mr Office’s mistakes.
Rose King
More letters
Inflation information request
What is the Union doing for the members to bring pay in line with the inflation we have had over the last five years, particularly in the offshore renewables sector?
Seafarers overlooked on VJ Day 80
The UK government's 80th anniversary commemorations of VJ Day seem to have left out the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy seafarers who played such an important part in the Pacific theatre of war.
Catch up with old Clan Line colleagues
The annual Clan Line reunion will take place this year at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool on Wednesday 1 October 2025.